I just got my heat exchanger set up on my tank and so far I must say it is much more efficient than running electric heaters. Anybody else running heat exchangers on their tanks? If so please post some pics. Here are a few pics of my setup.
Who uses heat exchangers on their tanks?
- Thread starter Bb66cuda
- Start date
It's been done before, BUT, not as cleanly installed as that.
Would you share with us the build and concept behind your design ?
Would you share with us the build and concept behind your design ?
Basically the idea to transfer the heat from the water heater to the tank and be able to control the temperature. Parts needed for this are the heat exchanger, temperature controller, cast iron open loop circulation pump, temperature/pressure gauges, check valve, and a water heater. When plumbing it in the water from the tank is moving upward through the exchanger via a pump while the hot water is moving downward through the exchanger in order to transfer the most heat. The pump is turned on by the controller when the temp of the tank drops 1 degree and turns off once the temp is back up. The domestic hot water loops through the system and feeds back into the domestic cold water side before the water heater. Any backflow is prevented with the check valve at the end of the system. It isn't a cheap system (cost was about $600 in parts), but I have it heating about 800 gallons and is just drawing minimum gas and occasionally running a 90 watt pump.
I need to do this. I just happened to come across your post, but I'm needing it real bad. I'll be bugging you soon about all the details, and I need to also have it work with wood.
Thanks for posting this!
Mike
Thanks for posting this!
Mike
Yes, it was convenient that it was there but it didn't have to be. I'm working on doing a friends whole fish room right now that will be about 30 feet away from the water heater. I'de be happy to help anyone that wants to try this, it took about 2 days to build but has huge rewards versus running electric heaters.
Have been using this system for about a month now and must say it works excellent. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is paying high electricity bills because of their tank heaters. The 750 cost less than $5 last month to heat to 84F.